Hardly a new concept but the best I’ve come across to date, Indicator cliplets are so versatile and priced so reasonably that every outdoor enthusiast should have a pair.

They’re two reversible nylon tags, a warm day glow orange one side and the familiar silver Scotchlite on the other which clip firmly together courtesy of some fearsomely powerful magnets which the manufacturer recommends should not be positioned in close proximity to pacemakers. I’ve experienced no problems with them mounted next to a wireless computer and similar equipments but attaching them to panniers and clothing has led to some amusing encounters.

Passing very close a car saw them latch with an audible snap to the door panel. On another occasion stopping to take some photos, putting the camera back in my pannier saw the cliplet preferring the five bar gate to their rightful place on my touring trouser.

Mildly amusing and irritating in equal measure, there’s the strong possibility of losing them when snaking through tight gaps in traffic, although this seems much less problematic attached to the bike/steel racks etc. There’s no denying they work very well in both modes but really draw attention when attached to trousers or indeed shoe laces/Velcro closures where the motion is particularly effective.

Weather resistance seems generally very good- taking an impromptu trip through the washing machine; our test pair has shown no deterioration in performance so foul weather shouldn’t pose any problems. They're undeniably a useful tertiary emergency safety gizmo and they’ve just as many applications outside of a cycling context. Given the asking price, should they form an intimate bond with filing cabinet or street furniture replacements won’t break the bank – even in these cash strapped times.

Verdict

Clever, inexpensive design that adds a bit of extra visibility

road.cc test report

Make and model: Indicator Cliplet reflective tag

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Sold in pairs, the Indicator cliplets are reversible reflectives designed to attach to clothing courtesy of two surprisingly powerful magnets.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Nylon (day glow one side, scotchlite the other) casings clip audiably together courtesy of two computer battery sized magnets. Such is their power, the manufacturers strongly advise avoiding their close proximity to pacemakers and similar equipment.

Rate the product for quality of construction:

8/10

Sturdy enough

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

Very effective-especially attached to laces/velcro closures and trouser bottoms.

Rate the product for durability:

8/10

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:

8/10

15g pair

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

8/10

Rate the product for value:

9/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

There no doubing their ingenious design works well on most materials providing welcome additional visibility when attached to panniers, clothing and or accesories. Despite the warnings,there's been no interruption or interference placed in close proximity to either wired or wireless computers-although one was encased in thick silicone. However, close proximity to gates, car panels etc can see it jump ship which might prove amusing and irritating in equal measure squeezing through tight gaps in traffic!

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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